The best fractional CMOs in the UK.

Sixteen fractional CMOs, firms and networks compared on who you work with, the days, the price and the contract.

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  • By Hassaan Ahmad, Managing Partner
  • Updated 22 October 2026

PacedRevenue is the best fractional CMO in the UK for B2B companies whose board wants marketing measured in revenue. The rest of the top five are VCMO, The Marketing Centre, Open Velocity and Adrian Lambert. All 16 are compared below on the same fields, with prices as each one publishes them, checked on 22 October 2026.

The 16 best fractional CMOs in the UK, at a glance.

  1. Best overallPacedRevenue
  2. Best for PE-backed and regulated B2B firmsVCMO
  3. Best for being matched from a large networkThe Marketing Centre
  4. Best for venture- and PE-backed techOpen Velocity
  5. Best for B2B tech and manufacturing in the North WestAdrian Lambert
  6. Best for B2B growth firms and UK-Japan businessesTight Lines
  7. Best for start-up founders and climate techFractionalCMO.uk (Richard Leader)
  8. Best for a chartered CMO on a smaller budgetMcCracken Marketing
  9. Best for founder-led B2B SaaS and EdTechDan Bassett
  10. Best for Series A to C SaaS and fintechPaul Keene
  11. Best for consumer, retail and PE-backed businessesMatthew Gaunt Associates
  12. Best for B2B and B2C startupsGrowth Division
  13. Best for growth-stage B2B tech, 10 to 150 peopleStancia
  14. Best for small professional-services firmsOpportunity Marketing
  15. Best for sports, events and consumer brandsPorter Wills
  16. Best for hiring your own through a search firmFractional Quest

All 16 compared: what each is best for, the days, the price and where it's based.

  • PacedRevenue

    Overall · Agreed in writing before work starts · United Kingdom

  • VCMO

    PE-backed and regulated B2B firms · £4,000 to £12,000+ a month · United Kingdom

  • The Marketing Centre

    Being matched from a large network · Not published · Swindon

  • Open Velocity

    Venture- and PE-backed tech · From £2,500 a month · York

  • Adrian Lambert

    B2B tech and manufacturing in the North West · From £3,000 a month · Manchester

  • Tight Lines

    B2B growth firms and UK-Japan businesses · £3,800 to £7,600 a month · Horsham, West Sussex

  • FractionalCMO.uk (Richard Leader)

    Start-up founders and climate tech · £800 to £900 a day · England

  • McCracken Marketing

    A chartered CMO on a smaller budget · From £1,500 a month · Greater Manchester

  • Dan Bassett

    Founder-led B2B SaaS and EdTech · From £2,500 a month · Exeter

  • Paul Keene

    Series A to C SaaS and fintech · Not published · United Kingdom

  • Matthew Gaunt Associates

    Consumer, retail and PE-backed businesses · Not published · United Kingdom

  • Growth Division

    B2B and B2C startups · £5,000 to £10,000 a month · United Kingdom

  • Stancia

    Growth-stage B2B tech, 10 to 150 people · Not published · Manchester

  • Opportunity Marketing

    Small professional-services firms · Not published · Leeds

  • Porter Wills

    Sports, events and consumer brands · From £3,500 a month · United Kingdom

  • Fractional Quest

    Hiring your own through a search firm · Not published · United Kingdom

Which kind of fractional CMO do you need?

The providers on this list work in five different ways, and PacedRevenue covers three of them. Pick the way first, and the shortlist gets much shorter.

  1. A solo consultant

    One senior person, usually one to three days a week, often with published rates. On this list: Adrian Lambert, Tight Lines, FractionalCMO.uk, McCracken Marketing, Dan Bassett, Paul Keene, Matthew Gaunt, Stancia and Porter Wills.

  2. A firm with a named bench

    A small team of named CMOs or partners, so the work doesn't stop if one person does. On this list: PacedRevenue, VCMO, Open Velocity and Opportunity Marketing.

  3. A network that matches you

    One marketing director matched to you from a large pool, by sector and stage. On this list: The Marketing Centre.

  4. A CMO with an execution team

    Leadership and hands-on delivery from one supplier, so the plan and the work don't sit with different people. On this list: PacedRevenue and Growth Division.

  5. A search firm

    It finds candidates you hire yourself, on terms you agree with them. On this list: Fractional Quest. PacedRevenue covers the hire at the end of its engagement: it writes the brief for your full-time CMO and sits in the interviews.

How the list is ranked.

Every provider was judged on the same six things, from its own website, checked on 22 October 2026.

  1. Who you work with

    A named senior person, or a pool you're matched from.

  2. Results with clients' names

    Results from fractional work, not just a CV of past jobs.

  3. Board reporting

    Whether it says what your board sees, and how often.

  4. Hands-on work

    Whether delivery is included, or left to your team and agencies.

  5. Prices and days in the open

    Whether you can see the fee and the time before you call.

  6. Contract terms

    Minimum terms and notice, as published.

The 16 best fractional CMOs in the UK, ranked.

  1. Best overall

    PacedRevenue

    Fractional CMO service · United Kingdom

    Why it's first: It's a fractional CMO measured in revenue. It's run by former enterprise sellers and product people, so the work starts where revenue is being lost, not where marketing is busy, and your board sees what marketing brought in, and what it cost, every month.

    • The team starts by finding where you're losing the most revenue and putting a number on it. Sometimes it isn't marketing.
    • Then it decides who you sell to and why they should pick you, using the PACED framework, directs your team and agencies, and runs the campaigns itself where you need it.
    • Your board gets one page a month: what marketing brought in, what it cost and what changes next.
    • When you're ready for a full-time CMO, the team writes the brief and sits in the interviews.

    Results, with named clients

    • My1Login, identity software: 9 CxO opportunities in six weeks after PacedRevenue changed its message from security features to billable efficiency.
    • Fuseable: a top-ten place on Legaltech Hub's most-searched list, beside Harvey, with no marketing team of its own.
    • CEO coach Pete Taylor: seven CEO meetings in three weeks, and two CEO clients within seven weeks. See all results.
    Best for
    B2B companies whose board wants marketing measured in revenue, with or without a marketing team of their own.
    Days
    Half a day a week, for advice, to three days of hands-on work, sized to your target and your team.
    Pricing
    Agreed in writing before any work starts, sized to the days and the scope.
    Contract
    Set out in writing with the scope, before any work starts.

    “I was holding off for so long because I didn't know what my voice is. I now know what my voice is and you've helped me find that way.”

    Nick Clarkson, Founder and CEO, Fuseable
    Book a callSee PacedRevenue's fractional CMO service

  2. Best for PE-backed and regulated B2B firms

    VCMO

    Fractional CMO firm · United Kingdom

    A UK fractional CMO firm for complex B2B businesses, founded in 2023: founder Paul Mills and four associate CMOs, every one a CIM Chartered Marketer. Its CMOs lead your team, agencies and suppliers rather than doing the execution themselves.1

    Best for
    Founders, CEOs and PE-backed or regulated B2B firms turning over £2m to £30m+.
    Strengths
    Board reporting is one of the six areas its CMO owns, with progress dashboards and monthly check-ins. It names clients such as CatSci and Lucent Financial Planning.
    Days
    No standard number; its case studies show two days a week falling to one, and three days a month.
    Pricing
    £4,000 to £12,000+ a month plus VAT; strategy workshops £2,500 a day plus VAT.
    Contract
    Its retainer page states a six-month minimum term.

  3. Best for being matched from a large network

    The Marketing Centre

    Fractional CMO network · Swindon

    A Swindon provider, founded in 2011, that matches each client with one marketing director from a collective of 100+, with an optional Activation Team for hands-on delivery.2

    Best for
    UK SMEs and scale-ups at a growth moment, with the best fit at £5m to £40m revenue.
    Strengths
    Most clients stay two years or more, and the CMO reports to the CEO or board on commercial outcomes. It names clients such as FullProxy, where it reports revenue up 135% year on year.
    Days
    One to two days a week.
    Pricing
    Not published. It cites £5,000 to £10,000 a month as the market average.
    Contract
    Flexible contracts, cancellable at any time.

  4. Best for venture- and PE-backed tech

    Open Velocity

    Fractional CMO consultancy · York

    A York consultancy, founded in 2022, whose fractional CMOs are its own named senior partners, such as Bethan Vincent and Lisa Wood, with no subcontracting.3

    Best for
    SaaS (post-Series A, VC or PE-backed), fintech, ecommerce and health tech businesses.
    Strengths
    It reports to senior management against revenue targets and gives the board a narrative and an evidence base. It names YorkTest, where it reports a 25% rise in UK and 38% in US ecommerce sales over 11 months.
    Days
    Not published.
    Pricing
    Retainers from £2,500 a month.
    Contract
    A monthly retainer that either side can end on one month's written notice.

  5. Best for B2B tech and manufacturing in the North West

    Adrian Lambert

    Solo fractional CMO · Manchester

    Adrian Lambert FCIM, a Manchester B2B marketing consultant and fractional CMO who has built marketing functions at listed and PE-backed tech companies.4

    Best for
    B2B businesses of 25 to 500 people: SaaS and tech, manufacturing and engineering, professional services and PE-backed firms.
    Strengths
    Execution is included, he reports to the board on pipeline, revenue and return, and he limits how many clients he takes at once. In an employed role as VP Marketing at Vislink Technologies, he reports $14.7m of pipeline in 18 months.
    Days
    Typically two to six days a month.
    Pricing
    From £3,000 a month.
    Contract
    Not published.

  6. Best for B2B growth firms and UK-Japan businesses

    Tight Lines

    Solo fractional CMO · Horsham, West Sussex

    Huw Waters's one-person consultancy, working as fractional CMO or interim marketing director for B2B companies, consultancies and agencies, including UK-Japan businesses.5

    Best for
    Growing B2B businesses of about £2m to £30m turnover, and UK-Japan businesses.
    Strengths
    He stays involved in delivery and speaks fluent Japanese. It names Soho Sampling, where it reports five active commercial opportunities within four months.
    Days
    Typically one to two days a week.
    Pricing
    £3,800 to £7,600 a month for one to two days a week; about £950 a day for short work.
    Contract
    A three-month initial term is recommended.

  7. Best for start-up founders and climate tech

    FractionalCMO.uk (Richard Leader)

    Solo fractional CMO · England

    Richard Leader's practice, selling fractional and advisory CMO work, coaching and non-executive roles to start-up and scale-up founders, built on his SOPE framework (strategy, organisation, process, execution).6

    Best for
    Start-up and scale-up founders, with a dedicated climate tech offer.
    Strengths
    Published day rates, and experience as the first marketing director at Funding Options through its growth and sale to Tide (an employed role).
    Days
    One or more days a week.
    Pricing
    £800 to £900 a day, depending on days a month; advisory retainers from £500 a month.
    Contract
    Usually a three-month initial term, then rolling on one month's notice.

  8. Best for a chartered CMO on a smaller budget

    McCracken Marketing

    Solo fractional CMO · Greater Manchester

    James McCracken FCIM's practice, launched in 2025, selling fractional CMO work and interim marketing director cover across the North West, and remotely elsewhere.7

    Best for
    UK businesses turning over about £2m to £20m that need a senior marketing owner, especially in education and training, property, B2B and professional services.
    Strengths
    Published prices for every service, monthly board reports on pipeline, cost per lead and revenue, and plans kept in your own systems so you don't depend on him.
    Days
    Usually one or two days a week.
    Pricing
    Retainers from £1,500 a month; one to two days a week usually £3,000 to £6,000 a month.
    Contract
    No long-term lock-in; notice is set in each proposal.

  9. Best for founder-led B2B SaaS and EdTech

    Dan Bassett

    Solo fractional CMO · Exeter

    A fractional CMO for B2B SaaS, EdTech and regulated-services companies, who delivers execution as well as strategy through his own AI agent system.8

    Best for
    Founder-led B2B companies between £1m and £20m ARR.
    Strengths
    Quarterly board reporting with weekly check-ins. It names IMP Software, where he reports growth from £250k to £7m ARR in four years.
    Days
    Two or three days a week.
    Pricing
    From £2,500 a month; a fixed £4,500 strategy sprint.
    Contract
    Not published for fractional CMO work.

  10. Best for Series A to C SaaS and fintech

    Paul Keene

    Solo fractional CMO · United Kingdom

    A UK fractional CMO for Series A to C SaaS, fintech and regtech companies, who leads and executes, and rebuilds marketing functions around AI.9

    Best for
    Trust-critical platforms moving into enterprise, or preparing for funding, expansion or exit.
    Strengths
    He answers to the board for results, and the days can change on 30 days' notice. As Marketing Director at Shufti Pro (an employed role), he reports ARR growing from about $3m to $20m.
    Days
    One to three days a week; most clients start with one or two.
    Pricing
    Not published.
    Contract
    No long contracts; 30 days' notice.

  11. Best for consumer, retail and PE-backed businesses

    Matthew Gaunt Associates

    Board advisory practice · United Kingdom

    Matthew Gaunt's board advisory practice: non-executive and chair roles, an advisory service, and fractional CMO work for UK consumer, retail and PE-backed businesses.10

    Best for
    Founder-led and family businesses of £30m to £80m turnover.
    Strengths
    Board-level P&L experience at Majestic Wine, Wickes and Hamleys, and reporting to the board in commercial terms through a P&L tracking dashboard. It names Spirit Energy, which had its biggest sales month on record during the engagement.
    Days
    Two to four days a month, then two to five in an embedding phase.
    Pricing
    Not published; a fixed monthly fee is quoted after the first conversation.
    Contract
    Not published.

  12. Best for B2B and B2C startups

    Growth Division

    Growth marketing agency · United Kingdom

    A UK growth marketing agency whose fractional CMO is a Growth Strategist surrounded by freelance channel experts, run on its own AI growth operating system.11

    Best for
    Startups, scale-ups and ambitious SMEs, B2B and B2C.
    Strengths
    Execution comes as part of the model, and it publishes its own pricing data. It names Weavr, where it reports 390+ MQLs in the first 12 months.
    Days
    Not published.
    Pricing
    Most teams £5,000 to £10,000 a month plus VAT; the strategist alone £2,000 to £3,000 a month.
    Contract
    Monthly, with no lock-in.

  13. Best for growth-stage B2B tech, 10 to 150 people

    Stancia

    Solo fractional CMO · Manchester

    Constance Smith's practice, founded in 2022, owning strategy and delivery for B2B technology businesses, with COO and CRO leadership available through Catalyst12.12

    Best for
    Growth-stage B2B tech businesses of about £1m to £20m turnover and 10 to 150 people.
    Strengths
    Direct senior involvement with no junior layer, and board reporting listed in the service.
    Days
    Typically two to three days a week.
    Pricing
    Not published; quoted on time and scope.
    Contract
    Most engagements run for at least six months.

  14. Best for small professional-services firms

    Opportunity Marketing

    Strategic marketing consultancy · Leeds

    A Leeds consultancy founded by Ian Kirk in 2008, with associate consultants covering the UK, selling marketing plans and outsourced marketing up to a Marketing Director tier.13

    Best for
    SMEs of £0.5m to £10m turnover without an in-house marketing team, especially professional and B2B services firms.
    Strengths
    It's channel-agnostic, selling no media or channel services of its own. It names Stay Sourced, where it reports 45% sales growth within three years.
    Days
    Not published.
    Pricing
    Not published.
    Contract
    No long-term contracts on outsourced marketing.

  15. Best for sports, events and consumer brands

    Porter Wills

    Fractional CMO consultancy · United Kingdom

    A UK consultancy led by Michael Porter, Formula E's first marketing hire, focused on sports, events and consumer brands.14

    Best for
    Founder-led sports, events, entertainment and premium consumer brands.
    Strengths
    He leads your existing team and agencies with the authority to execute. It names RunGP, where it reports over £500k of earned media value with no paid media, in six months.
    Days
    One to two days a week.
    Pricing
    From £3,500 a month for one day a week; £1,000 a day for a strategy session.
    Contract
    A three-month minimum; most clients stay six to twelve months.

  16. Best for hiring your own through a search firm

    Fractional Quest

    Executive search · United Kingdom

    A UK executive search firm, incorporated in 2026, that shortlists fractional, interim and permanent executives, including CMOs, rather than supplying its own.15

    Best for
    UK scale-ups, PE-backed portfolios and growing businesses that want to hire directly.
    Strengths
    Three to five candidates per brief, with references from recent clients and each candidate's IR35 position set out.
    Days
    Set by your brief.
    Pricing
    Not published; fees are agreed in writing for each engagement.
    Contract
    Agreed in writing for each assignment.

How to choose a fractional CMO.

  1. Ask who you'll actually get.

    A name, and a track record in fractional work, not just a CV of past jobs.

  2. Ask what your board will see.

    Ask for an example of the monthly report before you sign.

  3. Ask how many days, and why.

    The days should follow your revenue target and your team, not a package.

  4. Ask who does the work.

    Some fractional CMOs only direct; others execute too. Know which you're paying for.

  5. Read the contract.

    Terms on this list run from rolling monthly to six-month minimums.

  6. Ask how it ends.

    A good engagement ends with a handover: the brief for a full-time hire, or a team that runs without the CMO.

Your questions about hiring a fractional CMO in the UK.

Want to know what the team would fix first?

Book a call
Who are the best fractional CMOs in the UK?

The best fractional CMOs in the UK are PacedRevenue, VCMO, The Marketing Centre, Open Velocity and Adrian Lambert, followed by Tight Lines, FractionalCMO.uk, McCracken Marketing, Dan Bassett and Paul Keene. PacedRevenue ranks first for B2B companies whose board wants marketing measured in revenue.

What are the best fractional CMO companies in the UK?

Among firms rather than solo consultants, the best fractional CMO companies in the UK are PacedRevenue, VCMO, The Marketing Centre, Open Velocity, Growth Division and Opportunity Marketing. They differ most in who you work with: a named bench, one director matched from a large network, or a strategist backed by a channel team.

How much does a fractional CMO cost in the UK?

Published fractional CMO fees on this list run from £1,500 a month to £12,000+ a month plus VAT, and day rates from about £600 to £950. In a May 2026 survey reported by Marketing Week, most fractional CMOs earned below £10,000 a month.16 PacedRevenue agrees its fee in writing before any work starts.

How many days a week does a fractional CMO work?

Most providers on this list work one to three days a week, and some sell a few days a month. PacedRevenue's fractional CMO works from half a day a week, for advice, to three days of hands-on work, sized to where you're starting, your revenue target, your team and what's been tried before.

What's the difference between a fractional CMO and a fractional marketing director?

Mostly the title. Both are a part-time senior marketing leader who owns the strategy and answers for results. Scale-ups and investors tend to say CMO, and SMEs tend to say marketing director: The Marketing Centre, for example, matches clients with a Marketing Director. What matters more is the days, the reporting and who does the work.

Should we hire a fractional CMO or an interim CMO?

Hire an interim CMO to fill the role full-time for a fixed period, usually while you recruit. Hire a fractional CMO when you need senior marketing leadership part-time, for as long as it pays. PacedRevenue's fractional CMO works half a day to three days a week and hands over to a full-time hire when you're ready.

Should we hire a fractional CMO or a full-time CMO?

Hire a fractional CMO when you need senior marketing decisions before you can justify a full-time salary, or before you know what the role should be. Hire full-time once marketing needs someone every day. PacedRevenue's fractional CMO ends with a handover: the brief for the full-time hire, and a seat in the interviews.

Should we hire a fractional CMO or a marketing agency?

An agency executes a plan, and a fractional CMO decides what the plan should be and directs whoever executes it. PacedRevenue does both: its fractional CMO sets the plan and, at up to three days a week, does the work alongside your team and agencies.

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